VW's Hackenberg seeks to build greener models, plus a 6,000-euro car

Volkswagen Group development coordinator Ulrich Hackenberg is working on ways to make the automaker's future models lighter and greener through the use of the company's modular platform as well as technology from its XL1 plug-in hybrid. At the same time he says that VW can challenge value brands by producing a car that sells at a price as low as 6,000 euros. He provided more details during an interview with Klaus-Dieter Floerecke and Henning Krogh, reporters at Automotive News Europe sister publication Automobilwoche.

What are your plans for low-cost vehicles in developing countries?

In China, we are selling our Santana and Jetta models starting at 8,000 euros so Volkswagen can build affordable cars quite well. For us, it's now a matter of going one segment lower on prices. We want a full-fledged vehicle suitable for families -- for customers content with getting into individual mobility with a budget between 6,000 and 8,000 euros.

How will you reach this price level?

We have to localize more fully for this, identifying regional suppliers and then qualify them appropriately. So we want to develop, manufacture and sell locally.

In what areas are you seeing successes in the reversal of spiraling weight gain in cars?

We have already succeeded in reversing the weight spiral with the modular transverse matrix and its smart material mix. Despite huge progress in comfort and vehicle security, the weight of the current seventh-generation Golf is at the level of the fourth-generation, which we built between 1997 and 2003. We were able to cut up to 100 kg compared with the sixth-generation model.

Where do you still see potential and in what amounts?

All vehicles based on the MQB architecture in the future will be at least 40 kg lighter than their direct predecessors. With the modular transverse matrix, we succeeded at breaking through the weight spiral on a lasting basis. That reduces fuel consumption on all the MQB-based models, conserving resources and the environment. Moreover, we also see the need for more extensive weight reductions in the medium term. We are working hard on carrying out the objective with a smart, affordable materials mix, systematic downsizing and intelligent designs.

How important is the XL1 to VW?

The XL1 is a technology carrier. Some of the technologies that we are presenting in this vehicle will gradually flow into our high-volume projects. The plug-in powertrain is an example. For the XL1 we developed a small, two-cylinder diesel engine with an electric motor, 20 kW of electric output and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. By the middle of next year, this technology will be found in a new vehicle based on the modular transverse platform, but with a four-cylinder gasoline engine in combination with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, a 75 kW electric motor and a battery with 8.8 kWh.

What will its fuel consumption be?

It will drive 50km on purely electric power and attain fuel use of 1.5 to 1.6 liters per 100km in the European NEDC cycle.

How do you rate the chances that other vehicles will adopt the XL1's drivetrain?

The concept is designed for that. We envision a four-seat vehicle that is homologated very closely to the one-liter car. It still depends on what developments are implemented with regard to weight and aerodynamics.

What are the marketing opportunities for such a vehicle?

Today, it is impossible to tell whether the customer is ready to spend an appropriate amount of money for it. We are showing what is technologically possible and we have to see how the market reacts. The Three-Liter Lupo, which was very technologically advanced for its time, is still on the road today. It is driven by people who love it and are proud of the fact that they are conserving resources as they drive. It is really difficult to buy the model used. The same goes for the three-liter version of the Audi A2. These vehicles enjoy a cult status now, but they were not an economic success in their time.